Chapter Text
Luz woke up with a shout. She whipped her head around, looking around at her surroundings, which was a massive desert that had a few rock faces littered throughout.
“Is this Amh Araeng? How in the hells did I end up here? This place is a ways away from the Crystarium the last I checked,” Luz said as she checked for her harp-bow, quiver, and her flute, sighing in relief as she felt them in their usual spots, at least she can defend herself now in case a monster or Gods forbid, a sin-eater shows up.
Luz couldn’t help but notice that something was... off. Like the sky being clear and blue instead of the constant shine of light barely shrouded by the clouds. This made Luz do a double take as she rubbed her eyes, “I’m not just imagining this, right? Mother always did say that I had an active imagination before she… she…” Luz couldn’t do this right now, not when she was in the middle of the desert and could be attacked by a sin-eater at any moment, “Wait a minute, the sky’s blue. I’ve only heard about blue skies from really old books from before the Flood. Does that mean-” Luz cut herself off, trying to not get too excited. This had to be a dream, calamities like the Flood don’t just undo themselves overnight.
“Let’s just try and find a place to find out more about where exactly I am. Maybe if I’m lucky, I’m somewhere near Mord Souq or The Inn at Journey’s End,” Luz told herself as she scanned her surroundings in search of a place that could help her get back home to the Crystarium, “ Although there’s no point since there’s no one waiting for you back home,” Luz shook that thought from her head before spotting a city surrounded by a massive wall in the distance.
“Whoa, that place is as big as the Crystarium!” Luz marveled as she began her trek across the desert to the massive city.
She was able to fight off the monsters that tried to attack her with ease, killing them before they could get within 20 yalms of her with her bow and arrow. She had seriously underestimated how long this walk would take her though, and since she was walking through the desert without any water, it was safe to say that Luz was close to passing out again, and for good this time.
By the time Luz reached one of the gates to the city, her throat felt drier than the sand beneath her feet. Meeting eyes with one of the guards, Luz fell backward onto the sand. The muffled, worried voices of the guards faded from her head as her vision filled with black spots as she stared at the beautiful blue sky, “Bye-bye pretty blue skies. I’ll miss you,” Luz thought before her vision fully faded.
Luz stirred awake again, this time in a bed. A lady with cat ears and a tail dressed in a red and white nurse outfit came to her bedside and sat down in a chair next to the bed, “Oh, you’re awake,” The lady said, noticing Luz stirring awake, “You’re one lucky Au Ra, you know that?” The lady asked, causing Luz to give her a confused look.
“Au Ra? What’s that?” Luz asked, causing the lady to giggle.
“Wow, you must be really out of it if you don’t know what you are. I mean with those horns and that tail, you can’t be anything else than an Au Ra.” The lady said, which both cleared things up for Luz and confused her at the same time. She was absolutely sure that she was a Drahn and not an Au Ra like this Mystel woman said.
She decided to use this to gain information instead of arguing about the name of her race, “I’m sorry my memory’s a little foggy, can you refresh it for me please?”
“Well, I’m a Miqo’te,” Mystel. “You’re an Au Ra,” Drahn. She then pointed at another person, “That guy is a Hyur,” Hume. She then pointed at one of the big guys with broad noses, “That big lug is a Roegadyn,” Galdjent. She pointed at a tall woman with pointy ears and a long neck, “She’s an Elezen,” Elf. She then point at a short man who looked like a child if it weren’t for the battle scars and a rough beard, “And he’s a Lalafell,” Luz didn’t recognize that specific race and the Crystarium was a melting pot of all kinds of races, although she guessed his size was comparable to a Dwarf. She didn’t even mention the Ronso or Viis.
“What about the big cat people and the people with bunny ears?” Luz asked, causing the lady to turn her head in confusion.
“Do you mean the Hrothgar and Viera? They're not as common here in Ul’dah, but I’m sure there’s some around,” The lady said.
“Ul’dah, what is that exactly?” Luz asked, causing the lady to do a double-take, starting at Luz in shock.
“She doesn't even know that much?” The lady whispered to herself, but Luz still could feel the judgment from the lady, “Ul’dah is a large city-state in the country of Thanalan,” Great, more names that Luz didn't recognize.
“Do you have a world map? I need to check something,” Luz requested, causing the Lady to nod before walking away to grab the map for her. If what she was thinking was correct, then it would change everything.
The lady came back with the map and rolled it out on her bed “Here you go…”
“Luz Noceda.”
“Right,” The lady said before she gave Luz a moment to look over the map. Luz was dumbfounded, everything was different, it didn't even look like the world maps before the Flood, and the geography was entirely different. She was mixed with feelings of happiness, sadness, and guilt once she realized that she definitely wasn’t in Nordverant. Luz was in a world seemingly free of sin-eaters. She was sure it had its own problems, but none of them could be as apocalyptic as the Flood and the sin-eaters.
“Hey kid, are you alright?” The lady asked, causing Luz to turn her head to face her.
“Yeah, why?”
“It’s just that, you’re crying,” She said, causing Luz to rub her eyes, feeling the wetness on her face.
“Oh, sorry about that,” Luz said as she wiped the tears from her face. Luz handed the map back to the lady before getting out of bed and stretching. She then looked around the bed for her weapons, which she found next to the nightstand, “Is there a place I can stay for the night?” Luz said, with a newfound vigor, excited to get a start on her new life in Ul’dah.
“There’s an inn at the adventurer's guild called the Hourglass. I’ll get you a map so you don’t get lost,” The lady said before leaving to grab a map of Ul’dah.
When the Lady came back, she handed the Map to Luz, led her out of the infirmary, and pointed her in the direction of the Waking Sands.
“Thank you for everything, uhhh…”
“Uxi Molfholu.”
“Thank you, Uxi,” Luz said, which made Uxi smile.
“You’re welcome. Let’s hope the next time I see you isn’t in the infirmary,” Uxi said.
Luz laughed, something she hasn’t done in a while, “Eh, no promises,” She said, making the nurse sigh.
“Adventures,” Uxi said.
“Bye, Uxi,” Luz said before she left and began to walk to the Waking Sands. She took in her surrounding area, the bustling streets filled with aspiring Gladiators and studious Thaumaturges, the juxtaposition of seeing a beggar and an aristocrat on the same street, and the impossibly tall walls that framed the streets.
The atmosphere was broken by a shout, “Thieves, stop them!” An elderly Elf Elezen woman turned a corner and was running in Luz’s direction.
“Hey, Kid! Get out of the way!” She shouted before colliding with Luz, knocking them both to the ground. She was elderly Elf Elezen in a red Black Mage robe and a big mage hat. On her back was a little Drahn Au Ra boy who was holding a huge bag.
“Hey, Eda, look. Another Au Ra!” The boy said as he pointed at Luz.
“Yeah, yeah, King,” Eda said as she picked herself off of the ground and looked at Luz, “What’s a ranger doing all the way out here? I thought you guys mainly stayed in Gridania?” Eda asked, causing Luz to sweat nervously.
“Actually, I’m a Bard, but I’m just traveling around,” Luz clarified, causing Eda to hum.
“Eda, they’re catching up with us,” King said, pointing at the Brass Blades that were chasing them.
“Hey, arrest that Au Ra girl too! She’s aiding those thieves!” One of them shouted.
“What?” Luz yelped, she just got to this world, she couldn’t get imprisoned already!
“Well kid, sorry about getting you dragged into this, but you have two options now, either use Peloton to give us a leg up on those Brass Blades, or get arrested by them and spend the rest of your life in a dingy cell,” Eda apologized whilst giving her an ultimatum.
It wasn’t a hard decision for Luz, not wanting to spend her new chance at life in a cell, she pulled out her flute and played a few notes which applied Peloton. The world slowed down a bit for them as they both ran away from the Brass.
“Nice work, kid!” Eda praised, causing Luz to almost freeze in shock.
“Don’t freeze up, Luz, just the first positive affirmation you have gotten since your mother died,” Luz thought as she followed Eda into an alley. They hid in the shadows as the Brass Blades wondered where they went to split up to find them; conveniently, they did not go into the alley Luz, Eda, and King were hiding in.
“Hey, kid, are you well?” Eda asked, causing Luz to nod.
“Yes, I am alright, just a little shaken up that is,” Luz said, still feeling the adrenaline she had from fleeing the Brass Blades.
“Yeah, sorry about dragging you into this, those Brass Blades will have an eye out for you now, and you stick out like a Moobbue in a crowd,” Eda apologized, which made Luz give her a confused look.
“Why?” Luz asked.
“Au Ra aren’t commonly seen in Ul’dah. The last time I have seen one here, aside from King, was when that Doman ambassador and her band of refugees came in requesting shelter,” Eda explained, causing Luz to nod in understanding. Eda slapped herself on her forehead in realization, “Oh hells, sorry kid, I forgot to introduce myself.” Eda apologized before clearing her throat, “I am Eda Clawthrone, the unrivaled master of potions and the master of all magicks in Eorzea.”
“If you’re so great, then why were you being chased for stealing?” Luz asked, causing Eda to just roll her eyes.
“Oh please, it’s just a little gil that some rich bastard is never going to see again,” Eda said.
“Eda can we go home, I’m getting hungry,” King groaned. King was an Au Ra boy with navy blue horns, dark blue skin, white hair, magenta eyes with yellow umbral rings, and he was wearing a brown shirt with tan pants.
“Aw, who’s this little guy?” Luz asked as she cooed.
“Hey! I’m not a little guy!” King shouted, causing Eda to snort in laughter.
“If you’re not a little guy then you can get off my back and walk,” Eda said, causing King to huff as he hopped off Eda’s back.
He held out his hand to Luz, “King Clawthorne, nice to meet you,” He introduced himself before Luz shook his hand with a giggle.
“Luz Noceda, it’s nice to meet you guys too,” Luz said.
“Alright King, let’s head back home. Good luck with the Brass, kid,” Eda said.
“You’re just leaving me here!” Luz shouted incredulously, causing Eda and King to flinch.
“Again, sorry kid, I’m sure your parents might be able to help you or bail you out if you get caught,” Eda said, trying to reassure Luz, but she instead ended up striking a nerve
“My parents are dead! I don’t have anyone to bail me out!” Luz shouted, hot tears suddenly erupting from her eyes, causing Eda and King to look at her with pity, “I’m all alone here, the one person I know in this city aside from you two is the nurse that helped me after I passed out on the steps. So tell me, how am I going to be fine?”
Eda seemed conflicted, she already had her hands full with King, and now the gods have dropped this teenage girl on her that will rot in a jail cell if she leaves her in this alley. She sighed as she put her hand on Luz’s shoulder trying to comfort the crying girl, “Alright, Luz, you can come with us. Fair warning our abode is a ways away from Ul’dah, and since you’re probably not attuned to the Aetheryte Crystal in Ishgard, we’ll have to walk there on foot.”
“I-Ishgard? That’s the major city in Coerthas, right?” Luz asked, remembering the map Uxi had shown her earlier.
“Yes, and Coerthas is one of the coldest places on this star, so you’ll need some warm clothes if you don’t want to freeze to death out there,” Eda said.
King tugged on her dress, causing Eda to look down at him, “I’m still hungry, Eda. Can we get something at the Quicksand on our way back?” He asked, rubbing his stomach to signal that he was hungry.
“Yes, King, we can get some food at the Quicksand before we leave,” Eda said, “We’ll have to go somewhere else to find warm clothes for you, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a coat in this desert,” She said after turning to Luz.
“It’s fine, I’m pretty hungry as well; I haven’t eaten since I’ve gotten to Ul’dah,” Luz said, rubbing her stomach too.
Eda takes them to the Quicksand and walks up to the Lalafell standing behind the counter, “Hey, Momodi, I’m gonna need 2 adult meals and a kid's meal,” Eda ordered, causing the Lalafell to scoff.
“Of course, who else but you Eda? When I heard the Brass Blades running by the guild shouting "thief”, I knew it could only be you.” Momodi said as she turned around to face Eda, “This is different from your usual order, these adult meals are made to satiate adventures, you know. I do not recommend that you eat two of these or else you’ll end up rounder than the city borders!” She warned before noticing Luz, who was standing behind Eda, “Oh, you have a new child with you, and another Au Ra to boot. I’ll get you your food, just find a place to sit down while you wait.”
Eda leads them to a table and they sit down and wait for their food.
“So, Eda, do you just use black mage magick?” Luz asked, causing Eda to shake her head.
“No, I actually know every kind of magick Etheirys has to offer. If it casts then I know it.” Eda answered, “Why? Are you interested in magick or something?”
“Oh, I’ve always been interested in magick. I love being a bard, but one of the reasons I even picked up the bow and arrow was that my parents couldn’t afford to get someone to teach me magic and my father was a bard, so I decided to follow in his footsteps instead of pursuing magick,” Luz explained causing Eda to nod her head before Luz realized something, “You said anything that casts, right? So does that mean you’re a Paladin as well?” Luz asked.
Eda nodded, “Yep,” she changed her job to Paladin which caused Luz and King to cover their eyes as a light radiated from Eda’s armor.
“Gods dammit, Eda! What have I said about changing into Paladin indoors!” Momodi shouted as she brought them their food, careful not to drop it after being blinded by Eda’s Paladin armor.
Eda laughed, “Sorry about that Momodi, won’t happen again,” She said before changing her job to Red Mage which got rid of the blinding armor and replaced it with a flashy red coat with black accents, red boots, red pants, and big red hat that just read “class”.
Luz marveled at the sight, “So do you just know the offensive jobs, or can you also use the support jobs as well?” Luz asked, causing Eda to nod yet again, refraining from changing her job to White Mage, since Momodi would probably kick them out.
“Yes, when I said I was the “Master of All Magicks” I meant it,” Eda said, rolling her eyes, getting a little annoyed since Luz’s questions were starting to get repetitive.
“So, do you think you can teach me how to do magick?” Luz asked excitedly.
Eda thought about it for a moment. On one hand, Luz already seemed like a handful to take care of, let alone teach. On the other hand, she’d get to rub in those snobbish Sharlyans’ faces once they see how good her student turns out.
“Alright, Luz. You’ve got any idea of what kind of magick you want to learn first?” Eda asked, deciding to see how this would turn out.
“I want to learn Red Mage first, I couldn’t imagine myself having the patience to just stand in a circle and cast spells. I need to have mobility and Red Mage seems like the perfect job for that,” Luz said, which caused Eda to smile.
“While that was an oversimplification of Black Mage, it’s good to know that my future student knows herself well,” Eda said, causing Luz to gasp with glee.
“Um, Eda? Are you sure about this?” King asked, causing Eda to shush him.
“If Luz turns out well, then I can rub her in those snobbish Sharlyans’ faces,” Eda told him, causing him to give her a worried look before going back to eating his food.
“We’ll get started on our way to Ishgard tomorrow. I have some old gear I can give you so you can practice what I teach you on the way there,” Eda said, causing Luz to nod her head vigorously, causing her to choke on her food.
“Urk, water,” She strained as she washed down the food with some water. Eda and King sighed, it was clear this new student of Eda’s was going to be a handful.
After they finished eating, Eda went over to the Hourglass and asked the Innkeep for a room, which was free since she was an adventurer, “You’ve got a room with two beds, right?”
“Oh, is King finally deciding to sleep in his own bed?” The Innkeep asked, causing Eda to sigh and shake her head.
“No, and even if he did, he’d find some excuse to go back to sleeping with me,” Eda said causing the Innkeep to nod in understanding, “I actually found a mentoree, and I’m not having my student sleep on the floor,” The Innkeep nodded again.
“Of course, Owl Lady, I’ll have a room set up for you in a minute,” The Innkeep said before disappearing into the Hourglass.
“Hey, I got a room for us!” Eda shouted, causing Luz and King to get up and walk over to Eda as the Innkeep came back with the key.
“Here you go, Owl Lady,” He said as he handed Eda the key to their room. The Innkeeper let them go behind the desk and allowed them into the Hourglass.
They find their room and enter it, “Hey, Eda, why did he call you Owl Lady?” Luz asked, causing Eda to smirk.
“It’s the title I’ve earned for my great deeds across Eorzea, and I have a lot of owl-themed weapons,” Eda explained, as she jumped onto her bed.
Luz sits down on her bed as King joins Eda on her bed. The lights turn off and Eda and King fall asleep, Luz got the bed next to the window and looked out of it, the night sky wowing her as she tried to count every star that she could.
“It’s so beautiful,” Luz whispered before she went to sleep.
To Be Continued.